Chief Justice Stuart Rabner has designated Judge Robert F. Schaul as presiding judge of the municipal courts for Vicinage 13, which includes Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties, today announced Vicinage 13 Assignment Judge Yolanda Ciccone. The appointment is effective immediately.

"In addition to his excellent work on the bench, Judge Schaul is a very capable manager. I look forward to working with him to ensure the smooth running of our municipal courts," said Judge Ciccone.

As presiding judge, Judge Schaul will be responsible for working with the judges from each of the 51 municipal courts in the three counties to assist municipal court administrators with their day-to-day operations, mentor new municipal court judges, address any questions or problems that may arise among the judges, and implement all administrative rules, policies and directives of the Supreme Court, the chief justice, the administrative director and the assignment judge.

A graduate of New York University and Harvard Law School, Judge Schaul worked in private practice, specializing in business and commercial law and government regulatory matters. He is also currently a director and secretary of Juvent Medical, Inc., of Somerset, New Jersey.

From 1976 to 1994 Judge Schaul served as the municipal prosecutor in Harding Township, Morris County, and in 1994 he was named a judge of the municipal court in Harding Township. He also serves as a judge in the North Hunterdon Joint Municipal Court and Bernardsville Borough Municipal Court. He has been serving as acting presiding judge for the vicinage since January, having succeeded retiring Presiding Judge Robert C. Pollock Jr.

"Having served as acting presiding judge for nearly a year, I can say with great confidence that I know I will enjoy the work and the people. Our municipal court judges and staff are professional and dedicated and I am honored to be able to work with all of them," said Judge Schaul.